[Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or Spreadsheets

Thu Nov 11 15:39:23 EST 2010

Hi all.

Spreadsheets and databases have a lot of common content, to the point of
having identical formulas at times.

I've just finished writing a couple of practice exams for next year, and a
question that could be answered with either spreadsheet or database
knowledge was easier than I thought it would be to write.

I'll be doing spreadsheets and databases as well as everyone else seems to
be. While it's true that after skilling up for U3O2 it's not hard to learn a
few more skills for databases again in U4O1, I think it's more of an issue
of kids' attitudes.

They dislike databases; *really *dislike databases. They really
*like*spreadsheets. Their marks this year in my class confirm that
they put far
less energy and care into the database task.

Many of them felt down after U3O1.  Switching to Excel for U4O1 was a clean
slate for them mentally and they tackled it with renewed vigour. They really
pulled out all the stops for Excel and lifted their marks considerably.

The prospect of doing two depressing database tasks in a row would not make
them happy munchkins next year.

Most kids have had quite a bit of Excel experience upon entry to ITA, so
training is not a big hurdle.  And, as I mentioned above, the similarities
of the SS/dB content makes the transition to spreadsheets pretty easy,
leveraging existing dB skills.

Sorry for rambling.  Just finished marking year 11 IT exams and time now
seems plentiful  ;-)

Regards
Mark

On 11 November 2010 14:37, Christophersen, Paula P <
christophersen.paula.p at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:

>  Dear Paul and colleagues
>
>
>
> In the examinations, two possible scenarios will exist regarding questions
> about spreadsheets and RDBMS. These are:
>
> ·          Questions focusing exclusively on RDBMS as stipulated in Unit
> 3, as all students will have studied this. The designated software functions
> for this tool are stated in the July 2010 VCE Bulletin. This means that
> multiple choice questions and short and extended-type questions can be asked
> on RDBMS at the unit 3 level.
>
> ·          Questions that allow students to answer from either a
> spreadsheet *or* RDBMS perspective. In this instance questions must relate
> to the KK and KS of Unit 4, area of study 1. Typically in this situation
> there could be a general question to which students indicate whether they
> are going to respond from a spreadsheet of a RDBMS perspective OR there will
> be a Part a. and a Part b. and students select *one* of them. The software
> functions for SS and the functions for Unit 4 of RDBMS are both listed in
> the July 2010 Bulletin. If a RDBMS is being studied in both Units 3 and 4,
> then teachers must be aware of the different software expectations in each
> unit.
>
>
>
> No 'standalone' spreadsheet questions can be asked – as it is in accordance
> with the *choice* aspect of Area of Study 1, Unit 4.
>
>
>
> In Term 1 next year, a series of sample questions will be posted on the
> VCAA website which will illustrate these different scenarios.
>
>
>
> Regards
>
> Paula
>
>
>
>
>
> Paula Christophersen
>
> ICT Curriculum Manager
>
> VCAA
>
> 41 St Andrews Place
>
> EAST MELBOURNE 3002
>
> (03) 9651 4378
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Paul Golub
> Sent: Thursday, 11 November 2010 1:47 PM
> To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or Spreadsheets
>
>
>
> I was thinking of doing both as well. That way they can learn spreadhseets
> as well.
>
>
>
> Lets say I didn't do spreadsheets, both were databases. What happens in the
> exam? Can they ask spreadsheets questions?
>
>
>
> Paul Golub
>
> Santa Maria College
>
> 50 Separation Street
>
> Northcote 3070
>
> Ph: 9488 1674
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original message-----
>
> From: "Litsa Tzelepis" htzelepis at msj.vic.edu.au
>
> Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:28:06 +1100
>
> To: "Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List"
> itapps at edulists.com.au
>
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or Spreadsheets
>
>
>
> I agree - I'll be doing the same, besides its a good balance.
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>
>   From: Elliot, Mitchell E
>
>   To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List
>
>   Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 10:14 AM
>
>   Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or Spreadsheets
>
>
>
>
>
>   I was thinking of doing the same, Database unit 3 and spreadsheets unit 4
> mostly in case they can put both on the exam.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   Mitch Elliot | Buckley Park College | Cooper St, Essendon 3040 | (03)
> 9331 9999 | elliot.mitchell.e at edumail.vic.gov.au
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Jackson Bates
>
>   Sent: Thursday, 11 November 2010 9:59 AM
>
>   To: 'itapps at edulists.com.au'
>
>   Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] Unit 4 2011: RDBMS Part 2 or Spreadsheets
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   Hi All,
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   Just out of curiosity, what are you all doing for unit 4: Databases or
> spreadsheets? And what is your rationale for this?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   --
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   A reminder from VCAA about the functions to be demonstrated in both:
>
>
>
>   (taken from
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vcaa/correspondence/bulletins/2010/July/vce_study.html#2
> )
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   Relational database management system
>
>
>
>   The following functions apply to Unit 3:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   .create tables
>
>
>
>   .create relationships between tables
>
>
>
>   .use a range of data types
>
>
>
>   .electronic validation
>
>
>
>   .create, edit and use queries
>
>
>
>   .use of calculated fields
>
>
>
>   .sort records or index on different fields.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   If students use a relational database management system in Unit 4, the
> following additional functions apply:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   .import/export of data
>
>
>
>   .format data for display
>
>
>
>   .create and edit a range of forms, including different data types and
> controls
>
>
>
>   .create and edit a range of formatted reports.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   Spreadsheets
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   .conditional formatting
>
>
>
>   .formulae including simple functions (SUM, average, maximum, minimum,
> count), conditional statements and lookup tables
>
>
>
>   .cell protection
>
>
>
>   .graphs
>
>
>
>   .insert notes/comments
>
>
>
>   .macros
>
>
>
>   .relative and absolute cell references
>
>
>
>   .naming a range
>
>
>
>   .electronic validation
>
>
>
>   .sheet referencing
>
>
>
>   .formatting/layout
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   --
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   FWIW I'll probably run with spreadsheets, just for the sake of building
> wider usable skills, but I'm open to ideas.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   On a side note, I assume only the database knowledge from unit 3 can be
> on the exam, since there is no way for the exam to differentiate between
> those students that have done Databases Unit 4 or Spreadsheets. Does my
> thinking seem sound on that?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   Regards,
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>   Jackson Bates
>
>
>
>   VCE IT Applications
>
>
>
>   Waverley Christian College
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
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IT Learning Area Manager

McKinnon Secondary College
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